There are no new releases this week! Just kidding. But really, there are only, like, four. And that's no kidding. Lucky for us, these four releases span the spectrum from tolerable to really fucking good, so I'm not complaining. We'll look at the Best-Of collection from Slipknot, the new incredible release from OM, and some insanely crushing death metal from Binah. Here are all the new releases coming out today:
Slipknot – Antennas To Hell
Genre: Hard Rock/Nu-Metal
Country: United States
Label: Roadrunner Records
Listen: N/A
I suspect that some of you will care about this and some of you will hate me for even bringing it up. But there's simply no denying the gravity of any Slipknot release, even if it is just a best-of collection. Antennas To Hell is the bands first release since the passing of Paul Grey; and the best-of format, aside from its monetary benefits, seems to be the best way to close the book on that part of their career. A final summarizing statement, encompassing everything that Slipknot was, and a signifying statement that they will no longer be the same. The collection is two discs; the first containing remasters of 19 of the bands' most famous songs, the second with a live recording of their performance at Download 2009. Needless to say, this is only for the most hardcore of Slipknot fans, but I think all of us have a little curiosity as to what they'll do next.
Constants – Pasiflora
Genre: Shoegaze/Post-Metal
Country: United States
Label: The Mylene Sheath
Listen: "Sunrise"
Constants formula is a relatively simple one; like an indie shoegaze act straight out of the 90's, the songs are built around fuzz and wispy atmosphere, flowery melodies, bouncy beats, ethereal vocals. While there is structure here, as in a discernible verse, chorus etc… the songs generally just float through there progressions with no sense of urgency and no sense of destination. However, while more than a few things hindered my enjoyment of this album, I won't outright dismiss it. If you're looking for something incredibly cheerful, or if you want a little bit more distortion in your smiley summer days, this album is the perfect one for you.
Om – Advaitic Songs
Genre: Drone/Sludge/Experimental
Country: United States
Label: Drag City
Listen: "State Of Non-Return"
I won't waste my time reviewing this album; my fellow MI writer has already done an excellent job of that here. And if you're too lazy to click the link than allow me to sum it up with a few quotes: "stunning," "enlightening," "spiritual," and "one of the top releases of 2012." And if you're still not convinced, then I urge you to dedicate some time to this mammoth of an album. It's an experience you won't soon forget.
Binah – Hallucination In Resurrecture
Genre: Death Metal
Country: UK
Label: Dark Descent Records
Listen: "Absorption Into The Unearthly"
Quite simply, Binah is death metal done right. Raw, filthy, void of the lifeless modern shine that most bands are now falling prey to. This is death metal that pulls from its rich history; from the devastating grind of Nihilist to the twisted perversions of Morbid Angel and everything in between. Ulcerate is a band that comes to mind, but so is Black Breath, if not just for the thick trebly crunch of the guitars and the general punk-inspired vitriol. This is endlessly heavy, pummeling through passages of insane groove, manic speeds, serpentine riffs, and vicious vocals. Without question one of the best death metal releases of the year.
More Releases:
Anywhere – Anywhere (ATP Recordings)
Fear And The Nervous System – Fear And The Nervous System (Deluxe Edition) (Emotional Syphon)
Of Mice & Men – The Flood (2-CD) (Deluxe Reissue) (Rise Records)
Pantera – The Great Southern Trendkill (Vinyl) (Warner)
Pantera – Official Live: 101 Proof (Vinyl) (Warner)
Pantera – Reinventing The Steel (Vinyl) (Warner)
The Locust – Molecular Genetics From The Gold Standard Labs (ANTI)
